July 3, 2026

BUCKEYE, AZ — BUCKEYE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT will be participating in the School Breakfast Program and in the National School Lunch Program. As part of this program BUCKEYE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT will offer healthy meals every school day. Breakfast will cost $0.00, and lunch will cost $3.50/per day. Your child(ren) may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Reduced-price meals cost $0.00 for breakfast and $0.00 for lunch.

Qualifications for children to receive free or reduced-price meals include: Belonging to a household whose income is at or below the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines, belonging to a household that receives public assistance, or if the child is homeless, migrant, runaway, or foster student.

Household size and income criteria are used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits if the household does not receive assistance or the children are not in the other categories mentioned above. Children can get free or reduced-price meals if the household’s gross income falls at or below the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guideline chart.

To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households can fill out the application online at www.buhsd.schoollunchapp.com unless the household has already received notification that their children are approved for free meals this year. Application forms are also available in the front office in each school and on the district’s website at www.buhsd.org as of July 23, 2026. We encourage families to apply online to expedite the eligibility process.

Only one application is required for all children in the household and the information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and verification of data.  Applications may be verified at any time during the school year by the school or other program officials. An application for free or reduced-price benefits cannot be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information as indicated on the application and instructions. In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability.

Families can apply for benefits at any time. If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household's income falls at or below the Federal Guidelines. Contact the Child Nutrition Department at (623) 269-1036 at any time to request an application.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy, Hilda Alvarado will review applications and determine eligibility.  Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Dr. Ryan Pletnick, Associate Superintendent of Operations, 1000 E. Narramore Ave., Buckeye, AZ 85326, (623) 269-1010, ryan.pletnick@buhsd.org.

When known to BUCKEYE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT households will be notified of their children’s eligibility for free meals if they are members of households receiving assistance from the:

·         Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);

·         Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR); or

·         Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), if the State program meets Federal standards.

An application is not required for free meal benefits for Assistance Program participants and all of the children in the household are eligible for free meal benefits. If any children were not listed on the notice of eligibility, or if a household does not receive a notice of eligibility, the household should contact the school to have free meal benefits extended to them. Participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals, but they will need to turn in an application including household size and total income.

When known to BUCKEYE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT households will also be notified of any child’s eligibility for free meals if the individual child is considered “Other Source Categorically Eligible”, because the child is categorized, as defined by law as:

·         Foster,

·         Homeless,

·         Migrant,

·         Runaway,

If any children were not listed on the notice of eligibility, the household should contact the school about their eligibility through the list above or should submit an income application.

Households notified of their children’s eligibility must contact the school if the household chooses to decline the free meal benefits.

For more information, you may call the Child Nutrition Department at (623) 269-1036 or e-mail at hilda.alvarado@buhsd.org.

 In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

3. Email: 

   program.intake@usda.gov

   .

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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